The ending kick for the undermanned New York Knicks on Saturday evening confirmed why they’re thought-about NBA title contenders.
The tip-game execution by the New Orleans Pelicans displayed why they’re nonetheless within the early phases of a rebuild.
The Knicks will look to proceed their spectacular December on Monday evening once they go to the Pelicans within the first conflict of the season between the groups.
Each groups have been off Sunday following carefully contested video games Saturday. The Knicks squandered an 18-point second-half lead earlier than edging the host Atlanta Hawks 128-125 whereas the Pelicans’ comeback bid fell quick in a 123-114 loss to the visiting Phoenix Suns.
The Knicks, who might be with out starter Josh Hart (proper ankle) for a three-game street journey that started Saturday, appeared on their approach to an uneventful win once they opened an 85-67 lead with 6:55 left within the third quarter.
The Hawks roared again by capturing 52.7% the remainder of the way in which (19-of-36) — together with 64.7% (11 of 17) within the fourth quarter, once they have been 5 of seven from 3-point land.
However New York — and OG Anunoby specifically — clamped down after falling behind 125-124 on Nickeil Alexander-Walker’s layup with 49 seconds left. Anunoby was fouled as he pulled down an offensive rebound of Jalen Brunson’s errant jumper and hit each free throws to place the Knicks up for good with 29 seconds left.
Anunoby then intercepted a move by Trae Younger and hit two extra free throws. The ability ahead iced the win and closed out a double-double simply earlier than the buzzer by grabbing the rebound of Alexander-Walker’s misfired 3-pointer.
The late stand by Anunoby (15 factors, 10 rebounds) capped a formidable evening for the Knicks’ massive three. Karl-Anthony Cities had a game-high 36 factors and 15 rebounds whereas Brunson completed with 34 factors as New York, which received the NBA Cup earlier this month, improved to 10-3 in December and 22-9 general.
“It is a group recreation, so we’d like the entire group to affect successful,” Cities mentioned, “And I feel everyone did that tonight. And down the checklist you’ll be able to carry up everybody was actually particular once we wanted them to be, particularly OG.”
The Pelicans suffered their third straight loss Saturday once they led 33-32 after the primary quarter earlier than falling behind for good on Collin Gillespie’s 3-pointer 23 seconds into the second. New Orleans lower a 12-point fourth-quarter deficit to 2 factors with 3:54 left, when Zion Williamson sank a pair of free throws to carry the hosts inside 108-106.
However the Suns hit six of their final seven photographs from the sector whereas the Pelicans dedicated a pair of turnovers and did not rating a subject purpose till Jeremiah Fears’ layup accounted for the sport’s remaining factors with six seconds left.
The loss was the 14th by 9 factors or fewer this season for the Pelicans, whose rotation Saturday featured three rookies — starters Fears and Derik Queen in addition to reserve Micah Peavy — together with beginning guard Bryce McGowens, who’s on a two-way deal.
New Orleans, which has endured six-, seven- and nine-game shedding streaks this season, has the worst document within the Western Convention at 8-25.
“The resiliency was there, the toughness, the battle was there — I’ve obtained to present our guys credit score for that, they by no means dropped the sword,” interim Pelicans head coach James Borrego mentioned. “I feel we have been proper there in that recreation. One-possession recreation, 4 minutes to go, I will take that with this group any evening. We have simply obtained to shut and be higher down the stretch.”
–Area Stage Media
